The next day, Ishani sat before the ornate mirror, her reflection staring back at her like a ghostly figure cloaked in vibrant hues. The lehenga draped around her was a mesmerizing blend of emerald green and shimmering gold, its elegance undeniable. Yet, despite the finery, her complexion appeared washed out, devoid of the vibrancy that so often accompanied happiness. The intricate embroidery seemed to mock her as the other women in the room fussed over her appearance, adjusting her dupatta, pinning her hair into place, and applying the final touches of make-up.
“Just a little more blush, Ishani,” one of the women urged, her voice lifted with cheerfulness that carried an undercurrent of obligation. “You have to look radiant for the engagement!”
Radiant. The word hung in the air, heavy like a stone. Ishani’s heart felt like lead, each beat echoing the reality she was forced to accept. Just the night before, her stepmother had cast her life into chaos with an abrupt announcement. A gala affair had been planned—the details blurring together as her stepmother spoke, each syllable a tightening noose around Ishani’s dreams. Her engagement was set for that very day, the arrangements made without her consent or input.
She could still hear the harsh laugh spilling from her stepmother’s lips, the glint of satisfaction in her eyes as she declared, “You’re lucky to have such a match! Don’t act like this is a burden.” The words played on loop in Ishani’s mind, each repetition driving nails into her hopes. How had her life unravelled so quickly? Just days ago, she had been preparing for her further studies and job, her mind brimming with aspirations of a bright future and the chance to carve her own path. As the compartmentalized thoughts swirled in her head, her accomplishments felt meaningless.
Amidst the laughter and flurry of silk and jewels, Ishani felt isolated, adrift in a sea of beautiful illusions. She caught her own eyes in the mirror once again—dark circles framed them, a clear reflection of her sleepless night filled with anguish. The sleepless nights she spend working for her dream and today with her own hands she was going to destroy her hardwork,The young woman who had envisioned her future now recognized a stranger looking back, trapped in a reality of someone else’s design.
“What’s wrong, dear?” a soft voice broke through the haze. It belonged to one of her aunts, a woman whose kindness had always been a balm in a family marred by disarray. But even her soothing words were like a pale sparrow attempting to survive in a tempest.
“Nothing,” Ishani managed to whisper, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She didn’t want to tarnish her aunt’s goodwill with her sorrow.
The chatter continued as if in a parallel world, punctuated by the sounds of laughter and the soft clinks of bangles. Every note of merriment felt like another lash against her soul. She looked down at her hands, now adorned with colorful henna, the intricate designs swirling together like her own tumultuous thoughts. Each curve and line was a reminder of the suffocating commitment she was being forced into.
“Ishani! Get ready, it’s almost time!” her stepmother suddenly called from the other room, her voice shrill with excitement as if she were announcing the arrival of a long-awaited guest.
The command stung, driving home the reality that today was about her, yet entirely not for her. Ishani took a deep breath and imagined a space where she could breathe freely, where the walls weren’t closing in. Yet, with each breath, she was drawn back into the present, into the shrouded corners of obligation and the relentless grip of tradition.,
She wondered how her life was a mess in a single day, she don’t know the person to whom she was getting engaged today, she don’t know how he is, she don’t know how is his behaviour, she don’t know anything about him.. , she couldn’t even do anything to save herself, her father was also not present there and also didn’t had any hint about what was happening there, this wasn’t a grand and lavish party but a private one,
The sun streamed in through the lace curtains, illuminating dust particles dancing like fleeting moments that could never return. She felt the weight of expectations pressing down on her, pushing her further away from the dreams she had fostered throughout the years. As the laughter echoed in the background, Ishani closed her eyes for a brief moment, wishing for an escape—a chance to voice her truth, to reclaim her autonomy. She wondered how he must have expectations from his soon to be wife, but what will he get after knowing that she was forced ,she didn’t wanted any of this, will he force himself upon her? Will he support her or treat her like a trash? All those thoughts ran into her mind bringing tears everytime .. this all felt suffocating to her..
But as the sound of her stepmother’s heels clicked toward her, Ishani opened her eyes to reality. Today was not hers; it belonged to the whims and desires of others. The engagement was merely the beginning of a chapter she did not choose to write, one where her voice would be drowned out by the cacophony of tradition, expectation, and conformity.
With steely resolve forming deep within her, Ishani promised herself that she would find a way to rise from these ashes, to transform her story from one of compliance to one of courage. But for now, she would have to wear her smile like another layer of silk, a facade that blurred the lines of her anguish as she prepared to step into the world that awaited her, both beautiful and suffocating…
Her step mother came inside the small room and as soon as everybody present there saw there they all left the room
Ishani looked at her step mother to find some guilt or anything but what she found was happiness and evilness.. she stared at her with no experience.
“ Ishani.. make sure to smile infront of them and if you will not! You know what I will do!” Her step mother said almost warning her.. and Ishani couldn’t do anything just nod.
After that, the engagement processed on.. when tanishq saw her ,he was totally mesmerized by her beauty and pureness, he was totally lost in her the whole time meanwhile,Ishani knew he was gazing her but kept her gaze low.. like that without her consent the engagement was done, she was tied to a man she didn’t love, even didn’t know..
She just knew his name, TANISHQ RUDRA SINGH and nothing else about him..
A tear left from her eye when he slipped the ring into her finger but she quickly wiped it away before someone could see…
That’s how, the engagement finished and no words were exchanged between tanishq and Ishani..
The next 4 days were also same, as they were, Ishani tried to be strong on days but at nights she felt the most vulnerable person on th earth, in her room alone feeling so shattered.. but she didn’t had any option..
Every function,haldi, mehndi and sangeet was held separately in Sharma’s and rudra’s house and that’s because Ishani couldn’t even talk to tanishq.
It’s the fifth day today, it’s the day..
Ishani’s eyelids fluttered open, but the light spilling through her window felt harsh against her swollen, red-rimmed eyes. Last night had been a haze of restless sobs and whispered prayers, every tear a reminder of the life she had envisioned slipping away like grains of sand through her fingers. She lay in her bed, disoriented and heavy with despair, the chill of reality crashing down around her—today was her wedding day.
The weight of it settled in her chest like a stone. She had seen her fiancé only once—an encounter that had left her uneasy and filled with foreboding. Now, she was expected to bind her fate to a person she scarcely knew. She wondered if he was even aware of her tumultuous thoughts racing through her mind. The thought brought another wave of tears, and she buried her face in her pillow, muffling the sound of her heart breaking.
As the minutes joined together in a silent countdown, the undeniable truth clawed at her.. The key to her future, despite her turbulent heart, rested in the fragile hands of tradition. No one had asked what Ishani wanted; no one had considered the possibility of her dreams or ambitions.
With a heavy sigh, she sat up, the sunlight now casting a warm glow around her. Thoughts of her childhood dreams came rushing back—dreams not of forced nuptials, but of love and companionship blossoming over time. Those dreams were shattered now, and Ishani braced herself for the reality of what was to come.
Time passed with reluctant ticks, and soon, she could no longer delay. Reluctantly trading her sorrow for resolve, she slipped into a breathtaking lehenga, its intricate designs sparkling like stars in a night sky. The fabric hugged her in all the right places, drawing attention to her delicate frame, yet it weighed heavily on her soul. She adorned herself with ornate jewelry that clinked softly with every movement, its beauty starkly contrasting the turmoil within.
Ishani stares at her reflection, draped in a lehenga that feels like a cage. Her dreams slip away as the mirror reflects a life she never chose.
When her step mother finally called her to the mandap, a mix of dread and resignation washed over her. The mandap—a sacred structure adorned with vibrant flowers and glowing lights—stood as a poignant symbol of her new beginning, yet she felt nothing but the suffocating grasp of inevitability. This was it.
As Ishani walked toward the mandap, each step felt like a silent farewell to the life she had once hoped to lead. The chatter of guests filled the air, their faces a blur of excitement and anticipation, blissfully unaware of the battle waging in her heart. She took a deep breath, steeling herself against the rising tide of emotions, and forced her feet to move forward. The world around her faded into an indistinct hum, and all she could focus on was the reality that awaited her at the altar.
With each passing second, as she reached the mandap, the enormity of her situation became undeniable. The man waiting there was a stranger for her—the embodiment of decisions made for her As she took her place beside him, Ishani whispered a prayer, not for the future that had been thrust upon her, but for the strength to navigate the uncharted waters ahead…
The priest started to chant the Mantra’s and because her face was covered with the viel no one could see her tears or maybe. They didn’t tried to notice those tears, her pain..
Suddenly there was some voices..
“ Where is rajesh? It’s her daughter’s wedding!” Asked tanishq’s father and again, her step mother made some excuses like she did in last 5 days, Ishani sniffed a little thinking about her father, how will he feel when he will get to know that her step mother stopped so low in his absence..
Tanishq,who was just looking at her sensed something not good when he noticed her hand shivering, as it was placed in his and was about to ask when pandit ji called him, the varmala’s was exchanged, one with a heavy heart and one full of happiness….
They took the 7 pheras, with 7 vows..
“ Ab vadhu ke gale m mangal Sutra pehnayiye” pandit ji said pointing at the plate which had a beautiful yet shining nupital chain
( Now make the bride wear that nupital chain)
He picked up the mangal sutra and moved to her neck.. as soon as his hands touched her neck, she shivered and moved a little back, he tied the nupital chain and later it was time for the last thing, the vermillion
Before tanishq could lift up the girl Ishani quickly wiped off her tears and lowered her eyes trying her best to control those tears,
He lifted the viel a little up, enough for him to look at her beautiful face, he smiled a little and filled her hairline with the vermilion,
“ Ye vivah sampann hua! Aaj se aap dono pati aur patni!” The priest announced and ishani’s heart sanked deeper..
( The wedding is completed from now on you are husband and wife )
“ Aaj se aap “ISHANI TANISHQ RUDRA SINGH” she felt a shiver down her spine as soon as she heard her name, but this time joined with his!
( From now on you are – ISHANI TANISHQ RUDRA SINGH )